hello jgiles,i am also in the memphis area.i live south of mem.the memphis area beekeepers are having a meeting this monday jan 12th at 7pm. at the agri center.you are more than welcome to attend.in our local news letter there was an announcement about the state of tenn giving grant money to new beekeepers to purchase new hives and equipment,(miss also has just done this).also there will be a new beekeepers short course offered by our bee club in march.the folks in our club are a wealth of info and will help you out if they can.some members also sell bees.hope this helps.sorry it took so long to reply. bill